of the book. But, few, if any, had color pictures inside the book. Books

about color specific for quilters really didn't exist until several years

later. Quilt shows were few and small. So, it was difficult to get ideas

and inspiration with regards to making a quilt.

There was...however large merchandise catalogues

The thought came to mind that lots of money had been paid to get

these photos to be just right...especially with regards to color. The

catalogs would have what colors where in fashion and the proportions

of each color to another that would be "perfectly pleasing" to many

people. Well, they wanted to sell their product right? The Sears

and Penny's catalogs usually had bed sheets and quilts for sale too.

With this idea in mind, I started a 3 ring binder.
I would cut out pictures of color combinations I liked,

even if it was an outfit or flowered sheets. I would glue them onto

card stock adding notes as to how I might use the colors. I even cut
out things I didn't like...with notes as to why I didn't like them.
The 8.5 x 11, picture-full would be slipped into a page protector.

Now, that I am a "granny" gal, I tend to be out of touch with

color combinations and current styles. Colors have so many

variations, shades and hues. I don't have any color education or

color expertise. But,... I can sure look through a Nordstrom catalog

and see what color combinations look great =D. And, I'm betting

that the current catalog is using all the current, popular colors

with very inviting combinations and proportions.

Here is a current display of some color inspirations.
This is on a closet door in my sewing room.

I also sometimes find inspiration in magazines and catalogs. I keep a notebook of all the cut-outs. There are clothing pictures, home decorating pictures, even interesting graphics (like one from a real estate ad). I flip through the notebook to get ideas.

I see color possibilities everywhere. Magazines are usually my most popular location; however, I can see quilt color ideas in signs, commercials, famous paintings, any art, and even tissue boxes! tissue boxes have some of the best ideas! I don't really have any examples yet; I've just started quilting. I do have a notebook where I keep all my ideas. :)

That's a good technique! I do rip out pages from magazines for home decor ideas and especially colors. Normally for quilting I use a lot of fabric from the same collection and then white. I can't really go wrong with that!

You are a gal after my own heart! I used to do the exact same thing!!! I wasn't quilting then, but I did work for an interior designer part time coordinating her fabrics, wallpapers, and paints. (I have a minor in art, so that came in handy.) I used to have a scrapbook just like yours, although I didn't have the page protectors. I actually started the idea scrapbook when I was about 10 years old. Now, just about anything inspires me - art, nature, clothing, etc.

I do mostly get my color inspiration from Quilting magazines, books and samples made up in Quilt shops. I am not very color savvy, so seeing them made up really helps me. There have been other times when I see a color combination that I really like and make a note to remember. Color is everywhere, but making the combination is a challenge for me.

hi Annie! Oh super contest! Just learned a great method from you!!! thank you. My colors that are in my head now days are similar to the turq, yellow, b+w scarf. I am using a bunch of gray instead of b+w in my home lately. Watch next monday for my reveal of my new desk that was an old table... (hint, hint). No one knows the color combo yet. That's just a hint. love you! (pick me) lol

Most of my color inspiration comes from nature, but I do have a binder with pictures I have cut out from catalogs and magazines for inspiration. Unfortunately, I gather inspiration, but have difficulty translating it into a quilt. I have always struggled with picking out colors for quilts.

I love finding color/design ideas everywhere! Once I sketched out the design of one of my student's shirts. (though at the time I was thinking it would be great for a scrapbook page.) I have bought a towel because I liked the color combo for a quilt.

What a great idea to look to catalogs for color inspiration!! I'm not confident about color/fabric pairings so I find myself just sticking with a pre defined fabric line. I want to experiment more though and I think I'll take inspiration from your catalog process! Love it.

My color inspiration comes from nature, or the verification of the color combo comes from nature. I love to fold back inspiration pages in wish books (catalogs) -- lately it's been Company Store, JCP, BHG, and Lowe's. The shoe photo prompted a chuckle. I saw all those shoes at Sports Authority and bought a turq pair like those in the middle. I already follow your blog.

My color inspiration usually comes for a particular fabric-- usually a print with lots of color--- that just "grabs" me! :-) Then I choose my coordinating fabrics that will blend well with that initial fabric. I think that choosing the fabric is probably the most fun part of the process! :-)

It is an interesting idea, and a class I had suggested that we try something similar to that. I don't do it on a regular basis, though. Sometimes there is a photograph I take that has colors that appeal to me, though.

At the current moment I just use what I have on hand that looks good together! I do have an "UN-quilt" pic that I would LOVE to make into a quilt though, it's got some purples and black and different shades of gray! I love it, hopefully ONE DAY I'll be able to make it!

Lord only knows where I will see something that inspires a color combo. I love color and surround myself with it. I have strange pull towards stacks of towels at JCPenneys or plastic dishes in Target, you can actually mix and match there are no one pays any attention to you ;)

Hi, Annie. Great post on color. I tend to look to nature for inspiration, or to my fabric stash. One of the best exercises I ever did was to take a color I hate and use it (salmon/apricot). I agree that magazine photos can suggest some surprising combinations, but I find I really don't like the colors that are "in style"...must be the nonconformist in me!best, nadia